Canterburys Doom, Branch 1 · Evidence 2 · Section 65
65. Paſſages deleted, that the Sacraments Ex Opere Operato conferre Grace; and concerning the Sacrament of Baptiſme.
IN Maſter Ward's Comentary on Matthew, written copy page 399. this clauſe is purged out: Fourthly, by Baptiſme we gaine eternall life and ſalvation; that is although Baptiſme doth not conferre theſe ex Opere operato, yet where the Sacrament in rightly adminiſtred, and faithfully received, and Chriſt within juſtifying the perſon to be baptized, Rom. 4, 11. there Baptiſme doth ſeale all theſe mercies, graces and benefits unto the party baptized.
Anſw. 2. Baptiſme is not abſolutely neceſſary unto ſalvation, as appeares thus; Firſt Sacraments doe not conferre grace upon all, nor by a phiſicall power give grace unto any, but ſometimes God in and by the Sacraments conveyes grace unto his Elect children, and ſometimes by the Sacraments confirmes grace which he hath formerly conferred.
Ibidem on Matthew 3. ver. 11. I indeed have baptized you with water, but he ſhall baptize you with the holy Ghoſt. this diſcourſe is obliterated:
Queſt. What is John Baptiſts principall ſcope herein?
Anſ. His principall and particular ſcope was this, to ſhew that his baptiſme had no efficacy nor power in it from himſelfe at all, but onelyonly from Chriſt: teaching us, that the outward Sacrament may be in-effectuall (vede August. contr. Faustum 10. 4. & 19. 12.) and that two manner of wayes, viz. Firſt, for a time onelyonly, as thoſe who were baptized into John's baptiſme received not the graces of the ſpirit till afterwards, Act. 9. 2. And Secondly, ſometimes finally, and for ever; and thus Simon Magus was baptized but never benefitted at all by it, Act. 8. 13. 20. 23.
It may here be demanded, why the Sacraments are ſometimes in-effectuall, ſeeing they are the Sacraments of Chriſt, inſtituted by himſelfe?
Firſt, becauſe they are Sacraments appointed for the confirming of grace formerly given, not for the conferring of grace by any phiſicall power in themſelves (Rom. 4. 11.) and therefore no wonder if the Sacraments be not effectuall, when they are adminiſtred to one voyd of grace; for a ſeale ſet to a blank profits nothing.
Secondly, becauſe thoſe things which are a meanes of conferring grace, according to the Ordinance of God, are but onelyonly meanes, and not efficient cauſes; and therefore unto the receiver is like the preaching of the Word, altogether unprofitable when they are not mixed with faith, Heb. 4. 2.
How may we know whether we are truly baptized or not, or whether our baptiſme be effectuall or operative in us?
We may know thisby a ſerious examination of our ſelves by thoſe things whereunto Baptiſme is compared, viz. Water A. Spirit B. Fire C.
A. Firſt, Baptiſme is compared to Water, which hath theſe two principall properties; Firſt, it waſheth cleane, and cleanſeth away filth and pollution from a garment, and therefore we muſt examine and try, whether we be waſhed and cleane purged from the pollution of …inne or not? Secondly, It moyſteneth and maketh apt to fructifie; and to bring forth fruit, Iſa. 44. 3. and therefore we muſt try whether we are barren or not? for if we encreaſe nor in the works of ſanctification, we are not yet truly baptized unto Chriſt. B. Secondly, baptiſme is compared unto the Spirit, or to wind or breath, who…e properties are theſe two, namely; Firſt, to coole and refreſh the Lungs; and ſecondly, to work inſenſibly, according to our Saviours ſpeech John 3. the wind blowes where it liſts, of which afterwards in his proper place, viz. upon John. 2. 5. Let us here onelyonly examine, whether luſt burne and rage within us or not? for if we be enflamed therewith, and have no ſpirituall breath to coole theſe carnall flames, then we are not truly baptized into Chriſt; the pulſes of the conſcience being ſighes and prayers wherewith the child of God doth querch the fire of concupiſcence. C. Thirdly, Baptiſme is compared to fite, whoſe properties are theſe three; to wit, Firſt, to give light, and therefore he that is blind, is not yet by baptiſme made a member of Chriſt; for where the ſpirit of Chriſt is there the eyes of the underſtanding are opened by him; and ſecondly to purge away droſſe from mettle: and therefore we muſt try, whether the corruption of our nature be more and more ſubdued, and whether we be more holy, more pure and more unſpotted then formerly we were? yea like gold ſeven times tryed in the furnace; and thirdly, it doth enflame and burne; and therefore key-cold and luke-warme Chriſtians are not yet baptized into Chriſt: wherefore we muſt labour that our hearts may be enflamed with a deſire to advance the glory of God; as Saint Paul, when he ſaw the City Athens ſubject to idolatry, his ſpirit was ſtirred in him, Act. 17. 16.